Project Managers Without Borders

“Everyone is interested in
making the world a better place and
we are interested in
doing that through project management.”

Deanna Landers, Founder
Project Managers Without Borders

Have you ever considered volunteering for a non-profit, but were afraid that you will be unable to commit to the project? Sometimes, organizations just need 2-3 hours of a project manager's time to get pointed in the right direction.  Consider lending your expertise in ways that minimize your time commitment. There are many opportunities to mentor, coach, or simply make professional connections. These options may be more suitable when you don’t have time to devote to an entire project.

1. Volunteer to provide a professional development seminar for a short-term commitment with meaningful impact.


2. Offer to serve as a mentor for PMs looking to improve or expand their knowledge and professional network.


3. Host network events and help establish local communities of practice.


4. Provide a professional assessment of a non-profit’s project that they can use as a guide for focusing resources. Highlight areas of risk or suitable for exploitation.


5. Serve on the board of directors or on search committee tasked with hiring outside project management expertise.

What do you get from Mentoring, Coaching, or Teaching?

Teaching others and being able to immediately put into practice what one has learned produces the highest retention rate of all methods including practice by doing (75%) and reading (10%) [Brooks and Brooks]. In well-developed companies or project teams, the opportunity for teaching or coaching may be limited. Volunteering on a project at a non-profit organization may present opportunities to work with less experienced project managers or ones with different experiences who are looking to expand their knowledge toolbox. This may be especially beneficial to the nonprofit organization as funds for professional development are often limited. Additionally, you will benefit from the professional development experience.

Opportunities with PMWB

You may be surprised by the opportunities that exist in your favorite organization. “Many organizations have ideas, but don't know where to start to implement the ideas,” says Eric Schempp, PMWB WaterRico Project Manager. That's where PMWB project managers can step in. PMWB project management volunteers have collaborated with Rotary Club International and Engineers Without Borders to supplement their Water Project teams. “There are lots of opportunities to volunteer with project management skills in areas where you have interest. Project management skills are applicable everywhere,” Landers encourages.

REFERENCES:

Brooks, J. and Brooks, M. (1993). In Search of Understanding: The Case for Constructivist Classrooms, ASCD

Romiya Barry is a clinical research professional using the project management framework to improve patient care and community health.  She is recognized by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals and PharmaTimes Inc. for her leadership in clinical project management. Romiya is on the Board of Directors for Health Horizons International, a healthcare NGO serving communities in the Dominican Republic. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Follow @romiyagbarry! 

Volunteering can offer a way to unwind from daily pressures of work and a chance to live out your values. But, your personal interests may not be in alignment with your professional pursuits. Perhaps you work in software development, but you are inspired by environmental causes. Or, maybe your interest in human rights is sparked by travel to global locations for your construction management job. The opportunities for volunteering should not be limited because your interests or passions are not an exact match for your skills and expertise. Rather, “let’s do what we love, and do a lot of it” (Marc Jacobs).

The new challenge of a volunteer assignment outside of your industry sector is a great opportunity to learn how to get out of your comfort zone. Here are 6 tips for navigating new territory: 

#1 - Do your homework. Ideally, you will know something about the organization before volunteering. But, if your information is limited, spend time before your first day on the project to develop a working understanding of the organization and the field. 

#2 - Deep-dive into the onboarding literature. Depending on the structure of the organization, there may be some literature available to describe the basics of the organization, its causes, and its missions. Use these onboarding materials as a starting point. Let your natural interest and curiosity guide the direction of your research.

#3 - Interview and observe. The resources within the organization may not have been devoted to developing a thorough website, so – unlike in a new job – it’s not always the best place to start on researching the organization. Instead, it might be best to start with interviewing the leaders, other volunteers in the organization. Get an idea of their perspective of what the organization is trying to accomplish. Sometimes, knowing the challenges from their perspective can help you narrow in on what information you need to research to perform well in your role.

#4 - Reach out to your network. Not only is your network of friends and family a good resource for finding volunteer assignments, they may be able to connect you with a professional actively working in the field. This person can give a good idea of reasonable expectations for outcomes of the project.

#5 - Ask if you can spend time with clients. Respecting the principles of engagement, meet with key community leaders and groups in their surroundings to learn about their needs and what the organization’s work means to them. Early and effective stakeholder engagement also helps to build trust between the community or clients and the NGO.

#6 - Go back to school. Taking professional development courses to learn more about the sector allows you to be involved in a structured program with an educator dedicated to answering your questions and making sure you comprehend the relevant material. The commitment to a professional development course can range from 1-hour webinars to multi-week open coursework to an on-site intensive seminar.

It is important to not be overwhelmed by your lack of knowledge in the field. This could actually be an advantage to the organization as you are providing “fresh eyes” to the state of the organization. When we are very familiar with a project, we have the propensity to develop bias and may lose the critical perspective. This is even more likely when the passion for the project is high. Be ready to be a sponge in the beginning; absorb every piece of information from everyone engaged in the organization. But, also be prepared to ask questions that will grow your knowledge. Leverage skills from your industry sector, look for activities that overlap in function, if not name, and try to draw parallels from them. 

Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and take the challenge. Today is a great day to learn something new!

Do you find that you volunteer in organizations with causes outside your area of expertise? What tips can you offer for matching your skills across industry sectors? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Why volunteer? We live in a time of increased global demand for humanitarian action. As the demand grows, so does the complexity of the need. NGOs and other organizations may be strained to find resources with the talent and expertise to navigate the technical and logistical challenges of delivering impactful solutions. “Key to making operations work better is getting the right people on the ground with the right skills and experience, at all levels ” (Valerie Amos, May 13, 2011, The Guardian). The knowledge and skills developed as project management professionals can help transform ideas to outcomes. 

You have an opportunity to integrate your personal beliefs and professional experiences and drive towards a positive impact in our world. From the construction of a green-space in a high-risk community, to establishing volunteer shelters in a natural disaster, to planning a major fundraising initiative for a healthcare NGO, the capacity to execute is invaluable. 

So, how do you find an organization whose mission aligns with your personal values?

• Start local. Community postings and regional events are easily accessible resources for finding organizations to support right in your backyard. 

• Explore your personal network.  Let your friends, family, and neighbors know that you are looking for causes to support. Join in their activities and explore if there are ways to contribute on a higher level.

• Connect with your alma mater. Many schools and universities are active members of their local community as well as major contributors to international communities. Often, the alumni network is vast and well connected to humanitarian initiatives around the world.

• Ask your employer. Let your employer know that you are looking for ways to leverage your skills outside of the office. Inquire if there are any causes that your organization supports and ask if there is a way you can get involved.

• Search the internet. A number of organizations are dedicated to connecting individuals to NGOs, and some even specialize in skill-based volunteer assignments. Here are a few to start exploring:
  • Project Managers Without Borders 
  • VolunteerMatch 
  • Idealist 
  • Worldwide NGO Directory

“So many organizations need help! Why should I make this commitment?” At this point, you may find the number of organizations where you can get involved to be overwhelming, and you may wonder why you should continue to pursue your first assignment. To put it simply: “To welcome the opportunity of contributing to the world's work ...because of the joy of service thereby bestowed and the talent of leadership multiplied” (Alpha Gamma Delta, The Purpose). Beyond making you feel good about giving back, volunteering can help you refine your leadership skills as you seek ways to overcome unique logistical and cultural challenges in your assignment. Through volunteer work, you can acquire skills not available in your current professional role. It's an impactful way to learn how to drive innovation, motivate accountability, and mobilize teams through unusual and enterprising efforts. 

Get invigorated by your work! Use your knowledge and passion for project management to make meaningful change to the way we approach the world’s work.